MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has urged local chief executives of Metro Manila to continue their road clearing operations after the end of the 60-day deadline to rid public roads and sidewalks of obstructions as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim made the call when he presided over the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting in Makati on Thursday (Oct. 3). The MMC is the governing arm and policy-making body of the MMDA.
Lim lauded the efforts of the Metro Manila mayors in clearing the streets of obstructions, but noted that sustaining the operations is the “greater challenge of the campaign.”
“Our work is not yet finished. This is a continuing project. We have to maintain and sustain our clearing operations amid the increasing number of vehicles that worsen traffic in Metro Manila,” Lim said.
Lim cited that in the past 10 years, the number of registered vehicles in Metro Manila has almost doubled while its road network has only increased by seven percent.
He added that at least 900 vehicles are being added to the average daily volume of vehicular traffic along EDSA and major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
“This is the problem which Metro Manila is facing. Cars are multiplying but the road capacity has barely changed. Infrastructure projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program are underway,” the MMDA chief said.
“While waiting for the completion of the infrastructure projects, let us maintain what we have started. This is the greater challenge of the campaign. There is no overnight solution to address our traffic problems,” he added.
Majority of the obstructions cleared in Metro Manila during the 60-day deadline were illegally-parked vehicles and sidewalk vendors as well as structures like barangay and police outposts.
In line with this, council members have agreed to institutionalize the clearing of obstructions through a resolution to be adopted by 17 local government units in Metro Manila.
The agency also reiterated that barangay officials play a major role in keeping roads clear of obstructions.
“It is the responsibility of the barangay chairmen to maintain cleared roads,” MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said.
The MMDA also assured it is ready to assist local governments in clearing public roads.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said it is now completing its validation report on the performance and compliance of local government units to the road clearing order.
The results of its assessment may be released next week.
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